County Preparing For Franklin Boulevard Improvements

Sacramento County is close to putting the beautification project for Franklin Boulevard out to bid. The project plans call for completing sidewalks, adding bike lanes and improving access to mass transit.

The county has informed the Board of Supervisors that the project will have no negative environmental effects and can go out to bid next month.

John Jaeger with the County Department of Transportation says the project is designed to increase access and traffic for businesses in the area.

"It had sort of become a little blighted and it just needed some upgrades. Those improvements that were there had been done decades ago and it just needed an upgrade and needed a bit of sprucing up," says Jaeger. “It’s beautification. I mean, it’s really meant to revitalize it and improve the economic development of that corridor, you know, sprucing up some of the frontages there and adding some trees in the landscape median.”

As many as 40 trees will be planted in the median from 41st Avenue to 47th Avenue.

Dozens of shrubs will be also be planted and storefronts will be renovated.

A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for interested contractors September 4th. The county expects to receive bids two weeks after that with construction to be completed next summer.

Bob reports on all things northern California and Nevada. His coverage of police technology, local athletes, and the environment has won a regional Associated Press and several Edward R. Murrow awards. Read Full Bio